Nile to Cle Elum 4×4 Trip
Hosted by Eastern Washington Expeditions
By Clay & Odo Graham / CegPics.com
Doc just got his driver license and this trip was for him driving without Mom or Dad in the rig on a long distance drive. The goal was to drive to Cle Elum on 4×4 trails and gravel roads, then head to Gallagher Head Lake to camp the night.
On Monday July 26 2021 we met up at the Wood Shed in Nile. Some from the west side topped off their tanks and we picked up some cold drinks to start the trip.
We convoyed to FS1701 and aired down. Then we took FS1701 up and then ran FS1701-530 to the top of Bald Mountain and took a break for the view.
We continued onto 4W644 and down to 4W694 where I had to fix my CB antenna. We ran 4W694 onto 4W307. We stopped at Tripod Flat to eat lunch.
After lunch we continued down 4W307 to Manastash Campground. From there we drove down FS31 and turned onto 4W311.
We stopped for a photo on the long bridge and then started the climb up 4W311. We got to China Hill and found the trail dropped off rocks at the top of drop down. It had been years since the last time I was on 4W311. I took it slow down the rock drop off and then picked up a tire which made the rig slide down the hill. I knew what just happen. The auto sway bar reconnected sometime during the trip. Next time I will remember to check it before going down a place like that. I stopped and took a few photos of the others coming off the rock drop. They all did a better job than coming down than me.
We continued on 4W311 to the Shoestring Trailhead where we took a break.
We took many Forest Service roads and came out in Cle Elum. We aired up just before the pavement and then drove over to Warrior’s Quick Stop to top off the five rigs for the next part of the expedition, The Gallagher Head Overland Trip (See report at: https://cegpics.com/recreation/photos-ewe-gallagher-head-overland-trip/).
Here are some photos of the Eastern Washington Expeditions Nile to Cle Elum 4×4 Trip:
